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Senior Citizen Alerts
Senior Citizens Get Scammed in Alarming Numbers
PSAs, booklet educate
seniors on preventing
telemarketing fraud
 July 12, 2006 – The majority of fraudulent
telemarketing calls – 56 to 80 percent – are directed at senior
citizens. This problem is becoming worse as more and more Americans move
into the 65 and older age group. The National Crime Prevention Council,
in recognition of National Fraud Awareness Week, has issued a new
booklet - available online, and launched new television public service
announcements to help older Americans avoid telemarketing fraud.
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Older Patients Being Given Urinary Catheters for No
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Senior Citizen Alerts |
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Each year, nearly 25 million Americans, mostly
seniors, are victims of consumer fraud. In many cases, people have been
victimized in their own homes and even lost their life savings.
Many legitimate companies and charities solicit
consumers by phone and consider it an effective way to raise money or
increase company business. However, others are up to no good, says the
National Crime Prevention Council. Seniors can prevent telemarketing
fraud by being shrewd and savvy with telemarketers and keeping these
tips in mind:
● Offers too good to be true usually are. Ask to
receive the unbelievable deal or the amazing prize offer in writing so
you can read it carefully before making a commitment.
● Never give out your personal information over
the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Legitimate
business callers will not ask you for this information over the phone.
● If a caller asks you to pay for an offer in
advance or asks for your credit card number or Social Security number,
tell the person you don’t give out personal information over the
telephone.
● Remember that legitimate telemarketers won’t
be turned off if you use these techniques. They will appreciate dealing
with an educated consumer.
(See
more tips for all consumers below news story.)
Together with the U.S. Department of Justice and
National Association of Broadcasters, the NCPC has launched new public
service announcements that help seniors learn valuable tips for dealing
with telephone marketers and provide a behind-the-scenes-look at how
scammers work to take advantage of the elderly.
McGruff the Crime Dog, the icon of NCPC and crime
prevention, teaches seniors how to protect themselves against
telemarketing fraud. See "Seniors and Telemarketing Fraud 101" below to
order online.
Crime Prevention Publications for Seniors
The National Crime Prevention Council has several
publications written specifically for senior citizens on the crime
prevention topics most relevant to them. Read the following publications
to learn what you can do to avoid becoming a victim of crime. All
documents available online are in
Adobe PDF format.
Seniors and Telemarketing Fraud 101
If you're a senior, you may find yourself bombarded
with telephone calls from telemarketers offering you everything from
"fantastic investment opportunities" to home repairs (for an
unbelievably low price). This booklet is designed to help you sort
through these telemarketing offers so you can recognize which offers are
on the up-and-up and which are probably scams. It will also tell you
about a variety of things you can do if you get one of these calls,
including the simplest thing of all - just hanging up.
Download this
booklet
(600 KB).
Charitable Giving Done Wisely
Research shows the seniors donate to charities
often. Find out ways you can donate wisely.
Download this short document
(60 KB).
"Urgent and Confidential" - the Nigerian Letter
Scam
The Nigerian letter scam has been around for
decades and is circulated via letter, email, and fax. Read how you can
make sure you don't fall victim to this scam.
Download this short
document
(58 KB).
Avoiding Investment Fraud
Fraudsters lie and twist the truth, whether
by "guaranteeing" high rates of return or low risks, or by selling a
product that is clearly inappropriate for the investor. In some cases,
the scammer talks people into investing in a product that does not even
exist. By following the tips in this fact sheet, you probably won't
fall victim to these schemes.
Download this short document (65
KB).
Protecting Yourself From Fraud – It’s Easier Than
You Think
More Tips for consumers during National Fraud
Awareness Week, July 9-14
Cases of stolen identity don't occur just in TV
shows. They happen to real people, and ever more frequently, especially
to senior citizens. During National Fraud Awareness Week, July 9-14, the
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is reminding consumers of easy
safety measures they can take to protect themselves against fraud and
identity theft. These measures could save you valuable time and money –
on average, victims report spending 30 hours cleaning up after an
identity crime at a cost of $500.
● Eliminate paper trails. Some identity
thieves “dumpster dive,” that is, they rummage through garbage cans and
communal dumpsters searching for discarded bill stubs, cancelled checks,
credit card and bank statements, preapproved credit card offers, and
other private information. So, tear up your correspondence, or, even
better, shred it before throwing it away.
● Sign up for direct deposit. If you
currently receive Social Security or other federal benefits by check,
consider making a switch. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of lost or
stolen checks, reduces fraud, and gives people more control over their
money. Direct deposit also protects against identity theft. For more
information about signing up for direct deposit of your Social Security
or other federal benefit payment, call the Go Direct helpline at
800-333-1795 or go to www.GoDirect.org.
● Protect your personal information. Be
extremely cautious of whom you trust with personal information online.
Guard your account numbers, Social Security Number and other
confidential information. Some thieves “phish” for these numbers by
constructing bogus emails, pop-up ads and websites that appear to be
those of legitimate businesses or agencies. Remember: Legitimate
businesses will never ask you to provide nor confirm any personal
information through an email or pop-up message.
● Check your credit report. A new law
entitles everyone to at least one free report a year from each of the
three major credit bureaus. If you see something erroneous or
suspicious, contact any one of the three major credit bureaus. Ask how
they can help you monitor your credit report for suspicious activity.
● Stay alert in public places. Make sure
no one is standing behind you when you use an ATM. He or she may use a
cell phone with a camera to try to photograph your card number and PIN
number. Always shield your card and the screen.
For more information on how to protect yourself
from fraud and identity theft, visit the National Crime Prevention
Council online at www.ncpc.org.
About the National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a
private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to enable
people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the
causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to
occur. NCPC manages public service advertising under the National
Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign—symbolized by McGruff the Crime Dog®
and his “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®” slogan—and acts as secretariat for
the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, more than 300 national,
federal, state, and local organizations representing thousands of
constituents who are committed to preventing crime. NCPC is funded
through a variety of government agencies, corporate and private
foundations, and donations from private individuals.
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